___________________________________________________________________________________________ Passive
House
All Passive Row House images credit: Archetype Photo
better investments in the face of a climate crisis that may impact our energy sources, air quality, and daily life in many ways.
Designing and building to passive house standards is an excellent way to ensure that a home or project will be extremely energy efficient, even if certification is not a goal. Energy efficiency strategies do not have to be all or nothing- every project requires a contextual evaluation of which strategies are most appropriate and will yield the most gains. In my home, a renovated mid-century modern ranch with far more glazing than would ever allow for passive house certification, my husband and I have incrementally made the improvements we can, beginning with new high-performance windows and doors that are well sealed, and later adding additional insulation on the roof and in crawl spaces. When the oil furnace had to replaced, we opted instead for a variable speed high efficiency heat pump with a propane back up. In the future, we hope to install a photovoltaic array on the roof.
Moving the needle in the industry will require both collective and individual action. I believe the most important thing we can do is remember that high performance building strategies are worth the investment and will eventually become the norm. We need to continue to educate ourselves about new innovations and technologies as they become available and more ubiquitous,
and responsibly‘ push the envelope’ in each specific project we undertake. ■
Lauren Thomsen www. laurenthomsendesign. com
Lauren Thomsen Design is a Philadelphiabased design practice dedicated to delivering high-performance, design-driven projects through technical expertise and a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach. The firm works across new construction and renovations. Each project reflects a strong commitment to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility, paired with a modern, restrained aesthetic.
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